NBA Free Agency 2012: 7 Current Backups Who Will Be Starters Next Season

The NBA is full of talented backups, many of whom would be starters if they landed in a new location.

That's exactly what will happen with a bevy of soon-to-be free agents this summer. Numerous backups will look for increased roles on different squads, where they will not only make more money but also relish a starting role.

Here are seven current backups who will most likely be starters with new squads come next season.

J.J. Hickson, Power Forward

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J.J. Hickson has had an up-and-down year with the Sacramento Kings and now the Portland Trail Blazers. The upside of this 23-year-old is vividly clear, but he just needs to find a place to exclaim his talents.

When he arrived in Portland, he was slated as the backup to LaMarcus Aldridge, but Aldridge is now out for the year with an injury.

This has now left Hickson with the opportunity to audition for the offseason, and he's actually already raised some eyebrows. He's notched four straight double-doubles, including a 23-point, 13-rebound effort last week against Golden State.

Expect a team to pay considerable money to make Hickson its starting power forward for the future.

Courtney Lee, Shooting Guard

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Similar to teammate Goran Dragic, Courtney Lee has also received the opportunity to start recently with Rocket starter Kevin Martin sidelined.

Lee has contributed greatly in these games as a starter and is valuable on both ends of the floor. He's capable of knocking down the three and attacking the basket and is emerging as a lockdown defender.

He has all the tools to become a consistent starter, and you can expect him to find that role come next season.

Chauncey Billups, Point Guard

It's unlikely that he'll return to the Clippers, as he's going to be a free agent and the Clippers already have Chris Paul and Mo Williams in their backcourt.

Billups could be a bit of a gamble, with his age and the fact that he'll be coming back from a serious injury, but the payoff could be high. He's a proven competitor and could be a difference-maker for a team seeking to break into championship contention.

O.J. Mayo, Shooting Guard

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O.J. Mayo is the top backup who will almost surely find a starting role next year. He remains young and has the ability to score in numerous ways.

Expect a handful of teams to show interest in the 24-year-old shooting guard. If he finds the right situation, he could potentially develop into an All-Star or at least become a crucial missing piece for a team seeking to become elite.